Defence Minister pays tribute to Georgian national hero

Minister of Defence Levan Izoria payed tribute today to Georgian national hero Giorgi Antsukhelidze - a Georgian soldier who died during the Russia-Georgia war of 2008 and who would have turned 34 today were he alive.

At Mukhatgverdi cemetery Izoria also spoke about the Russian occupation and related threats.

“The reality is that Russia has maximal control over the occupied territories and decisions made there do not only reflect the will of Abkhazian and Ossetian people. We face illegal actions from the Russian side frequently and we inform the international society about cases to the best of our ability. Believe me, the time when all offenders will be held accountable will come,” Izoria added.

He named the occupation as the major challenge and threat facing Georgia.

“We do the most we can with our strategic partners on a daily basis  to raise our voice against occupation and take practical steps for preventing threats,” he said.

Izoria also commented on the statement of the former de-facto Prime Minister of Abkhazia, Sergei Shamba, in regard to starting a dialogue. As Izoria said Georgia is involved in international formats for such dialogues.

“We unequivocally defend the principle that our country’s democratic development, as well as the peaceful resolution of the conflicts, are related to these internationals formats,” Izoria added.

In this regard he also mentioned the Georgian government’s initiative, A Step to a Better Future, which entails carrying out a peaceful and pragmatic policy regarding the Abkhaz and Ossetians to give them the possibility of integrating into Georgian society and having access to all the privileges Georgian citizens currently enjoy.